My journey in work-life began with a stint at McDonald’s when I was merely 16, a period in my life I sincerely didn’t enjoy much. I couldn’t wait to jump ship and did indeed latch on to my next job at a dry cleaning store. Not that it was my dream job either; but, well, that’s another story.
During my time at McDonald’s, most of my coworkers were either high schoolers or college students, except for the managers. In particular, I remember one who was reasonably young, a twenty-four-something. McDonald’s, like many other fast-food chains, provided us teenagers with our first taste of working life.
However, things seem to be quite different now. The Wall Street Journal points out that, according to a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute, over 88% of the minimum wage earners are over 20 years old. Despite dedicating forty hours a week, they pocket just 16,000 dollars annually, an amount challenging for a single adult to sustain themselves, let alone those with dependents.
This observation begs the question, should fast food chains, where an increasing number of adults now find employment, bear the responsibility of offering wages beyond the minimum limit?
THE IMPLICATIONS OF OFFERING HIGHER PAY
McDonald’s has an expansive customer base, appealing to 69 million people daily, as stated by the Wall Street Journal. Lured by the value-for-money offerings, customers are particularly fond of the dollar menu. If prices were to surge with an increase in wage, would McDonald’s still enjoy the same patronage?
Taking a look at McDonald’s Australia might present some answers. The Wall Street Journal highlights that workers here already earn $15 an hour. This increment, though, comes with a catch. Only part of the increased labor cost is passed on to the consumers. The rest is offset by deploying more technology and demanding higher productivity from the leaner team of employees earning the higher wage.
Would the present set of protesters be willing to risk their jobs for others to earn higher wages? And would the ones benefiting from the increased pay be ready to shoulder the extra workload, resulting from the reduced staffing?
EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
Alternatively, we could also explore other workable solutions to this wage predicament.
1. If you’re not an employee at a fast-food chain but sympathize with their employees’ plight, consider patronizing restaurants that offer their staff a living wage, thus giving up the allure of fast food. A drop in sales might prompt the fast food giants to reconsider their wage structure. To cite an instance, Costco, renowned for paying its employees a handsome $22 an hour, could set a commendable benchmark.
2. If you’re employed by McDonald’s, trying to break free from the cycle of low wages could be an option for you. You could aim for a better-paying job or career by acquiring new skills or opting for a trade. Though it might appear daunting initially, depending on your personal circumstances, it’s less formidable than trying to sustain your family on an annual income of $16,000. Gradual self-improvement and securing a superior job could be your ticket out of this tricky wage situation.
